Abstract P6-05-40: Aqua polo: Preliminary feasibility and efficacy study of a programme of adapted, supervised water polo to reduce fatigue and improve women’s psychological and social recovery after breast cancer treatment. A mixed-method design
Authors: Sarah Cuvelier, Charlène Goetgheluck-Villaron, Monique Cohen, Agnès Tallet, Leonor Lopez Almeida, Jean-Marie Boher, Sophia Jowett, Sébastien Justafré, Pierre Dantin, Patrice Viens, Sarah Calvin
Journal: Cancer Research (2023)

Abstract Introduction : Physical activity has been shown to have many benefits, including reducing cancer-related fatigue (CRF) and improving psychological and physical recovery from breast cancer. Some authors have shown the benefits of aquatic practice, while others have detailed the benefits of group and supervised practice. We hypothesise that an innovative sports coaching proposal could allow a significant adherence of patients and contribute to their health improvement. The main objective is to study the feasibility of an adapted water polo programme (aqua polo) for women after breast cancer. Secondary we will analyse the effect of such a practice on patients’ recovery and to study the relationship between coaches and participants. The use of mixed methods will allow to question precisely the underlying processes. Methods and analysis : This is a prospective, non-randomised, monocentric study with a sample of 24 breast cancer patients after treatment. The intervention is a 20 week programme (1 session per week) of aqua polo in a real sports setting. The variables measured are patient participation, quality of life (QLQ BR23), CRF (R-PFS) and post-traumatic growth (PTG-I) as well as different variables to observe physical capacity (strength with dynamometer, step-test and arm amplitude). The quality of the coach-patient relationship will be evaluated (CART-Q) to explore its dynamics. Participatory observations and interviews will be carried out to report on the interactions between the coach and the participants during the sessions. Ethics and dissemination : Study procedures have been approved by the Institutional Review Board of the Institute (IPC 2019-028) and the National Ethics Committee (SI:20.01.20.54741). Consent is given in person to each participant. The information collected on the participants contain only a non-identifiable study identifier. The results of this protocol will be published in a scientific paper and communicated to the medical staff of the medical center. Trial registration number ID-RCB: 2019-A03003-54 Keywords: Quality of the relationship, Aquatic exercise, Quality of life, Sport Citation Format: Sarah Cuvelier, Charlène Goetgheluck-Villaron, Monique Cohen, Agnès Tallet, Leonor Lopez Almeida, Jean-Marie Boher, Sophia Jowett, Sébastien Justafré, Pierre Dantin, Patrice Viens, Sarah Calvin. Aqua polo: Preliminary feasibility and efficacy study of a programme of adapted, supervised water polo to reduce fatigue and improve women’s psychological and social recovery after breast cancer treatment. A mixed-method design. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2022 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2022 Dec 6-10; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2023;83(5 Suppl):Abstract nr P6-05-40.